Early Childhood Education and Care in the 21st Century: Global Guidelines and Papers from an International Symposium Hosted by the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (Organisation Mondiale pour L'Education Prescolaire) and the Association for Childhood Education International (Ruschlikon, Switzerland, July 5-8, 1999).

Association for Childhood Education International, Olney, MD.

The International Symposium on Early Childhood Education and Care for the 21st Century was held in Ruschlikon, Switzerland in 1999. Attending were 83 early childhood education professionals from 28 nations to develop international guidelines for the education and care of young children. This document contains shortened versions of the guidelines developed by the working groups at the symposium and three papers presented at the symposium. Guidelines were developed and statements were made in the areas of: (1) overall philosophy, goals, and policies; (2) environment and physical space; (3) curriculum content and pedagogy; (4) early childhood educators' and caregivers' qualifications and characteristics; (5) partnership with families and communities; (6) young children with special needs; and (7) accountability, supervision, and management. The papers included in this report are: (1) "International Standards or One of Many Possibilities?" (Peter Moss); (2) "The Contribution of Preschool Education to Chilean Education Reform" (Blanca Hermosilla); and (3) "What Kinds of Future for Our Children?" (Bettye Caldwell). Each paper contains references. (KB)